In case you missed some of the highlights of 2008, here’s a recap of cool stuff that happened in the vegetarian community.
6. Peta announces their 2008’s sexiest vegetarians:
The sexiest vegetarians according to PETA crowned here, are Alyssa Milano of the TV show Charmed and rocker Frankie Iero. Coming in a close second are the Hush Sound’s easy-on-the-eyes Greta Salpeter and a TV star-turned-rocker, Jared Leto (30 Seconds To Mars).
5. Heather Mills donates $1M USD of vegan food to Bronx children
While I’ve heard some remember her less favorably as the evil witch who broke up with Paul McCartney, it seems hard for me not to admire this Brit’s do-gooder streak. Ms. Mills earned some vegan brownie points when she donated $1M USD in vegan food to children in the Bronx section of New York City. Officials say she donated to the region as it had “the city’s highest child obesity and asthma rates”. Ms. Mills was honored by Congress for her achievements.
4. Researchers step closer to growing cruelty-free meat
While it might not be for some vegetarians, for some former carnivores who went vegetarian, the opportunity to bite into a chicken wing with cruelty or murder might seem an attractive dream. Those dreams inched closer to reality as vegetarian doctoral student Jason Matheny from the University of Maryland, developed a new way to grow animal cells in a nutrient bath to create cruelty-free synthetic meat. The scientist is currently working on perfecting his process, something he hopes will allow the entire world to go vegetarian without as much as a diet change.
3. Oprah Winfrey goes vegan for 21 days.
Talk show queen Oprah Winfrey made waves when she went vegan in May. She blogged about her experience, stating, “How can you say you’re trying to spiritually evolve, without even a thought about what happens to the animals whose lives are sacrificed in the name of gluttony?”
She reports finding the vegan diet very satisfying. While there’s no news on whether she stuck to the diet, it seems unlikely that she’ll be eating quite as many hamburgers in the near future.
2. UN official calls on world’s citizens to stop eating meat to fight global warming
Rajendra Pachauri, head of the U.N.’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, has won a Nobel prize for his work on global warming. He caused a stir this year by calling on citizens in the U.S. and abroad to eat less meat, saying it is the most effective way to combat global warming.
1. Vegetarian Athletes Score Big In 2008
Kansas City Chiefs Tony Gonzalez, was afraid his red-meat laden diet might be literally the death of him, so he went public with a decision that shocked many — he was going vegan. The top paid NFL tight-end, who continues to set records showed that meat is by no means necessary to athletic performance, delivering 9 touchdowns and 1000 yards.
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7. My favorite country singer, Kellie Pickler, went vegetarian in 2008.
http://blog.peta2.com/2008/10/kellie_pickler_goes_vegetarian.html
Hey, Mack »
That is a good one, how could i possibly forget. My co writer and i should probably get together and write a post on celebs that went veg in 2008. Awesome idea.
Thankxs for coming by. And Happy New Year!!!!
Missy.
All of these are great for helping spread vegetarianism throughout America. The synthetic meat one is a little weird and I would be reluctant to try something like that.
Hi, PLG:
Synthetic meat is alot closer than we think, as alot of the processed stuff of today is pretty much mystery meat anyway.
I think it’s revolutionary and makes me think of a product called Bacon Salt. I wonder what vegetarians think and feel of this item. They were advertising here on the blog a few months ago, and had the ads removed, because i was quite offended at the concept of Bacon Salt.
I think i will have to write a post and get some feedback and see what other vegheads think of it.
Thanxs for coming by.
OK, I can’t say I agree with Oprah’s quote with reference to gluttony. Most people that eat meat can’t be referred to as gluttonous. Her statement was a bit of overkill. As for Alyssa Milano, I love that woman.
Well Oprah was trying to make a point. But i would venture to say that meat eaters are somewhat gluttonous because it (as in the act) is about convenience.
And as for Alyssa Milano, yeah she is pretty hot. Good choice this year from PETA.
Do you mean the act of eating Missy, or of acquiring the food? Eating is after all a necessity, and whilst some people may object to animals being used for food, I believe it’s been around for quite some time.
You know, if that dress that Alyssa is wearing is made of real vegetables I could be converted although I don’t think the wife will approve.
Still can’t really understand Heather Mills. Gets herself a nice settlement, then donates 1 million to charity. Wonder if it was a stunt to get back some popularity for the horrible way she behaved on national TV here in the UK. She acted as if she was a manic-depressive. Well, at least the kids in NY benefited from some of the money.
Hi, Mike »
I know the UK is not a fan of Heather. I hear you. But regardless of how you feel about her, the million dollar donation was a good call. As many will benefit from it.
Sire »
Well just because something has been around for awhile, doesn’t make it just. Right? Of course not.
And yes Alyssa looks great in the lettuce dress. Unique outfit for sure, compliments of the wacky folks from PETA. Thanxs for visiting, Sire.
No better adverstising that Oprah. Though Heather Mills is probably the opposite.
That vegan meat kinda freaks me out. Too much genetic modification for my taste, but anything that lessens animal suffering I am all for.